Bowyer declined to say if he intentionally spun

FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2007 file photo, Clint Bowyer, left, smiles with NASCAR driver Ryan Newman after Bowyer won the pole position for the Sylvania 300 NASCAR auto race at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, N.H. His reputation has been battered, his team blasted by NASCAR for manipulating the outcome of a pivotal race. Now Clint Bowyer will do his best to pick up the pieces and try to salvage his season. (AP Photo/Jim Cole, File)

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Clint Bowyer would not say Tuesday whether he intentionally spun his car in an effort to keep Ryan Newman from winning at Richmond.

In his first public appearance since NASCAR sanctioned Michael Waltrip Racing, Bowyer was on ESPN as part of a previously scheduled appearance. He said he had apologized to Newman in a phone call, but said it was because the spin cost him a victory — and the apology was simply racer protocol.

Asked specifically if the apology was an admission he spun intentionally, Bowyer didn’t answer directly. “Let’s not dig too much into this,” he said.

NASCAR said they could not prove Bowyer’s spin was intentional in levying stiff sanctions against Michael Waltrip Racing on Monday. Newman replaced Martin Truex Jr. in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship and MWR was fined $300,000 as part of the penalties.